If You Think Your Child Has A Speech Problem

As your child grows his (her) speech sounds will develop. Your baby will begin to make sounds from birth. Vocalizations typically begin at 2-3 months, babbling around 6 months growing into real words from 18 months to 30 months of age. By the age of 3 your child should ‘have it all’.

A 3 year old should produce most speech sounds correctly and use speech to carry on a conversation. All sounds may not be perfect, but a 3 year old should be easily understood by most strangers.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE OF A ONE YEAR OLD

recognizes his/her name

understands “No”

gives a toy on request

places a cube in a cup on command

understands simple instructions

imitates familiar words

waves “bye-bye” and plays pat-a-cake

uses “mama” and “dada” and several other words, usually nouns

like to make animal sounds and vehicle sounds

laughs a great deal

shows affection; makes noises and pats parents affectionately

scribbles imitatively with a crayon

SPEECH & LANGUAGE OF A TWO YEAR OLD

understands simple questions and commands

identifies body parts

carries on a “conversation” with self and dolls

uses mainly names of things, actions, persons and situations in his or her language